Valve assembly for pressure containers and the like



Nov. 24, 1959 D. D. MICHEL.

VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR PRESSURE CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 9, 1956 2,914,224 VALVE ASSEMBLY FDR PRESSURE CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE David Daniel Michel, Chicago, Ill. Application August 9, 1956, Serial No. 603,052 Claims. (Cl. 222394) This invention relates to an improved dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, pertains to a valve construction for use with pressurized containers which is characterized by simplicity of construction and efficiency of operation.

The prior art is replete with devices for dispensing a fluent product by means of pressure controls of various sorts. Each of these dispensing means, however, possesses one or Imore detrimental characteristics which render the specific device unsatisfactory in a certain regard. .The dispensing apparatus hereinafter disclosed is the most satisfactory apparatus of this type yet to be devised.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing apparatus for use with any fluent product, whether liquid, gaseous or comrninuted solids, which is composed of inexpensive, readily manufactured parts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser in which the valve mechanism may be readily assembled without distortion or danger of damage to any component thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a valve assembly for a dispensing device utilizing a novel locking member which assures a permanent assembled relationship between the various parts.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispensing construction employing a cover member having a gasket therein whereby a fluid-tight seal is assured, and all chances of accidental discharge of the material to be dispensed are avoided when the cover member is in place.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispensing apparatus employing a sensitive valve assembly whereby exertion of a slight force will result in discharge of the desired product.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following specitication, accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In one embodiment of the invention, an improved dispenser assembly for a liquid product and gaseous propellant is mounted on a can capable of withstanding substantial pressure. A valve assembly utilized in the dispenser comprises an apertured mounting cup which interlocks with a resilient valve seat member. An elongate nozzle member through which the product and the propellant are to be discharged is inserted in a centrally disposed passageway formed in the resilient valve seat. A plug member is formed integrally with the lower end limit of the nozzle member, and in the normal position of assembly forms a iluid-tight seal with the lower portion of the valve seat.

A locking collar engages the periphery of the nozzle member and abuts the upper end of the elongate resilient valve seat, whereby the resilient seat is cornpressed and the plug urged into sealing engagement therewith. An upper portion of the nozzle member is threaded to receive a cover member having an internally threaded cavity adapted to engage the correspondingly threaded nozzle member. In the normal assembled position, the upper end of the nozzle member abuts against a resilient gasket member disposed at the base of the cover member cavity forming a seal therebetween.

nited States Patent p ICC rIlliis dispensing assembly may be readily secured to a can member which functions as a reservoir for the dispensable product and propellant therefor by forming the periphery of the mounting cup about a mounting bead formed on the can reservoir.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevational view of a can utilizing the dispensing apparatus of this invention, the cover member of the dispensing apparatus being partially'broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing apparatus of this invention and a portion of the can reservoir;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 showing the nozzle member in position for discharge after the cover member has been removed;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l and 2, a can 10 is illustrated having mounted thereon a dispensing assembly 12 which includes valve components and related parts hereinafter to be described in detail.

As is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper end of the can 10 is formed so as to define a bead 14 which, in turn, is adapted to receive the dispensing assembly 12.

A valve supporting mounting cup 16 is disposed on verse wall portion which defines the outer periphery,

.a skirt portion 22 extending outwardly from the wall portion and an inner aperture defined by a transverse flange portion 18. In mounting the cup 16 on the can 10, the initially transverse outer wall of the mounting cup is expanded by a suitable instrument or tool so as to form a lip 19 which engages the bead portion 14 of the can 10. Following the expanding operation, a relationship assumed between the mounting cup 16 and the can 10 is as illustrated in Fig. 3.

A resilient sealing material 20 such as soft rubber may ybe disposed in an annular layer between the undersurface of the skirt portion 22 of the mounting cup 16 and the bead portion 14 of the can 10. This material assures a fluid-tight seal between the latter two elements.

An elongate resilient valve seat member 24 having a longitudinal passageway is disposed in the central aperture of mounting cup 16 and interlocks with the vertical ange portion 18 thereof. The seat 24 is composed preferably of rubber, although other resilient material may also be utilized. It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 that the valve seat member 24 has an annular recess 26 formed in the lower portion thereof which has a slightly greater diameter than the ange portion 18 oithe mounting cup 16.

In the normal course of assembly, the valve seat member 24 is pushed through the opening delined by the flange portion 18 of the mounting cup. This latter insertion may be readily accomplished because of the reduced diameter of the upper portion of. the valve seat member. After the valve seat member 24 has been partially forced through the mounting cup aperture, the tiange 18 of the mounting cup will snap in place and interlock with the annular recess 26 of the valve seat.

With the seat in place on the mounting cup, a substantially annular ange 23 of the valve seat 24 will engage the annular portion 17 of the mounting cup 16. The engagement between the seat and cup is snug because of the interlocking between the ange 18 and the annuaI lar recess 26 and the slightly stressed condition of the is conditioned for use.

annular portion 23 of the seat 24. The stressed condition of the valve seat portion 23 is augmented by the internal can pressure acting on flange 23 when the can Consequently, the interface between the mounting cup and the valve seat is substantially fluid tight.

Centrally disposed in the nozzle member 28 is an elongate tapered passageway 30 which, because of its outwardly flared nature, enables the product contained in the can reservoir and the propellant therefor to continuously expand and intermix in the course of emerging from the can. Defining the lower end of the tapered passageway 30 and formed integrally with the nozzle member 28 is a plug member 32. A plurality of passageways 34 are transversely disposed in the nozzle 28 in communication with tapered passageway 30, see Fig. 5, and disposed adjacent the plug 32. When the container 10 is inverted and the nozzle 28 angularly displaced, the product to be discharged passes between the resilient seat 24 and plug 32, and through transverse passageways 34 and tapered passageway 30 to the atmosphere.

Disposed on an intermediate portion of the nozzle member 28 and formed integrally therewith is a collar 36. It is the function of the latter collar to engage the upper end portion of the valve seat member 24. In the normal course of assembly, the nozzle member 28 is pushed upwardly through the central aperture in valve seat member 24 thereby enabling the collar member 36 of the nozzle member to be resiliently retained in the valve seat member. The dimensions of the valve seat and noule member are such that, when the valve seat and nozzle collar member are in engagement, an upper annular surface portion 40 of the plug 32 will bear against a lower annular face 42 of the valve seat member with a predetermined pressure and as a result effect a substantially fluid-tight seal therewith.

Formed on an upper outer portion of the nozzle member 28 are a plurality of threads 44. Disposed adjacent the threads and defining the lower end thereof is a collar 46. The latter collar has a transverse outwardly extending annular surface for providing an abutment for a locking collar 48. The upper portion of locking collar 48 is split into a number of segments 48a and has a lower portion which ares axially and outwardly relative to nozzle 28. The segments 48a provide for expansion of the locking collar 48 in the process of placing the locking collar in locking position. The upper portion must slip over the threads 44 and the collar 46 to assume the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Obviously, the collar must be of flexible resilient material so as to expand in assembly and, subsequently, return into the final collar-engaging position.

The lower edge of the outwardly flared portion of the locking collar 48 is of such a diameter that it snugly engages the upper end of the valve seat member 24 and securely locks the same in engagement with the collar member 36 of the nozzle member 28 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The above-described assembly is obviously stable, and relative movement between the various parts is substantially impossible. The locking collar 48 is wedged between the nozzle collar 46 and the upper end of the compressed resilient valve seat; the latter valve seat, is in turn, wedged between the periphery of the nozzle and the locking collar and compressed between the locking collar and the plug 32.

To discharge the product contained in the can member 10, the can is inverted and the nozzle member is tilted slightly as illustrated in Fig. 3, whereby the product is enabled to escape along the path described by the series of arows shown. As the nozzle 28 is tilted, a portion of the annular surface 40 of the plug 32 is displaced from contact with the periphery 42 defining the lower end of the valve seat 24. It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the latter end limit has a. curved cross-sectional configuracontents is substantially impossible.

tion so that a line contact is initially effected between the plug and the valve seat in the course of effecting a fluid seal. After the portion of the plug surface 40 is removed from Contact with the curved portion 42 of the valve seat 24, the 'product or product and propellant passes between the valve seat and plug, through the rnsverse passageway 34 and the tapered passageway It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that in the course of the nozzle tilting movement, although the valve seat 24 will be distorted, it will remain securely engaged in the mounting cup 16 and will retain the nozzle 28 in place because of the attachments previously described in detail.

It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 that the valve seat 24 possesses an annular restriction 50 which engages the periphery of that portion of the nozzle member 28 immediately above the transverse passageway 34. The relatively narrow restriction 50 of the valve seat 24 has a smaller diameter than the portion of nozzle 28 which is engaged. Therefore, a fluid seal is defined at the interface between the latter two members.

It will also be noted from Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that the upper central portion of the valve seat member 24 is somewhat expanded to define an annular pocket S2 between the valve seat and the nozzle. The valve seat wall portion defining the pocket enables angular displacement of the nozzle and concomitant flexing of the valve seat with a minimum of effort without unduly distorting or stretching the valve seat. Furthermore, the bulbous pocket acts as a spring in maintaining a sealing pressure preload on the valve, irrespective of the pressure within container l0. Because of the fluid-tight interface where the restriction 50 engages the nozzle member 28, material is prevented from leaking into and accumulating in the pocket 52. Excessive accumulation in the pocket might render more difficult the tilting of the nozzle member in the course of discharging the product from the can 10 and might result in ultimate leakage to the atmosphere past the sealing collar 36.

Surmounting the entire dispenser assembly is a cover member 54. The cover 54 has a plurality of ribs 56 disposed about the periphery thereof which facilitate grasping the cover by hand in the course of removing or replacing the same on the threaded nozzle member 28. The cover 54 has a central recess which is threaded to engage the corresponding threads of nozzle 28.

Inserted in the uppermost portion of the cover recess is a gasket member 58 which is composed of cork or other resilient material and which is intended to abut against the upper end of the nozzle 28 when the cover is in place thereon. lt will be noted from Fig. 2 that the lower flared portion 60 of the cover 54 extends outwardly beyond can bead 14 but preferably does not contact either the turned portion 22 of the mounting cup 16 or. the can 10. This clearance between the cover portion 60 and the mounting cup prevents abrasion of the mounting cup portion since the cover member does not contact the same, and thus, the painted surface will remain continuously unmarred thereby guarding against corrosion. Furthermore, in the event that the ared portion 60 engages bead 14, the effectiveness of gasket 58 will be substantially reduced. The gasket 58 obviously avoids any possibility of leakage or any other accidental discharge from the can 10 through the nozzle 28.

Because of the plurality of annular seals between the nozzle and valve seat combined with the sealed engagement of the cover over the nozzle, leakage of any can Consequently, corrosion or other deleterious effects of leakage are avoided. It is apparent from Fig. 2 that, when the cover member 54 threadedly engages the nozzle member 28, the nozzle is restrained against movement sufficient to open tho valve.

As already described, when a liquid product is being dispensed in acrated form, the can is inverted before the nozzle is angularly displaced, whereby the product is dispensed through the nozzle by the compressed propellant contained in the can. The pressure utilized for such purposes will generally be in the order of 75 to 150 p.s.i.

lt is believed apparent that the components illustrated and described above may be disposed on a can as described herein or may be adapted to other uses. The illustrated valve assembly comprising the valve seat, nozzle member locking collar and cover will function efficiently if secured in a manner similar to that shown to any container whether it be fabricated of metal, glass, plastic, or the like.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that a valve assembly for a dispenser has been provided, which assembly may be readily effected without excessive distortion of any of the components. The latter assembly is readily adapted for high speed continuous production. The novel locking collar, above-disclosed, secures the upper end portion of the valve seat to the nozzle member under any desired pressure preload. The novel relationship disclosed between plug 32 and the rounded lower end of the valve seat 24 assures an efficient fluid-tight seal at all times and enables the product contained in the can reservoir to flow through the nozzle opening by tilting the nozzle member through a slight angle. An angular displacement of approximately 15 from the normal nozzle axis is generally sufficient to effect satisfactory product flow.

1n summary, therefore, it is seen that the valve assembly provided is not only efficient in operation but constructed of a minimum number of simple inexpensive parts which effect a stability of assembly heretofore unknown.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims:

I claim:

1. A valve assembly for a dispenser having a flanged aperture or the like comprising an elongate resilient valve seat having a longitudinal passageway therethrough, said valve seat engaging the periphery of an aperture in such dispenser in fluid-sealing relationship, said valve seat having an annular recess, said periphery of said dispenser aperture comprising a flange adapted to engage said valve seat annular recess and interlock therewith, nozzle means receivable in said valve seat passageway and having an internal passageway running the length thereof, plug means formed integrally with said nozzle means and closing one end of said nozzle passageway, said nozzle means being transversely apertured adjacent said plug means, an annular shoulder formed integrally with said nozzle means, and locking collar means of flared configuration having one circumferential edge of substantially the same diameter as said nozzle means abutting against said annular collar and having a second circumferential edge for wedging the end of said valve seat inwardly into tight engagement with the peripheral portion of said nozzle means adjacent said shoulder, said valve seat being compressed between said locking collar and said plug whereby said plug means engages the lower end of said valve seat in fluid-sealing engagement in the normal position of assembly, said nozzle means being tiltable wlereby a portion of said plug means may be removed from said engaged valve seat end.

2. In a valve assembly for a dispenser or the like adapted to receive a threaded cover, the combination comprising nozzle means having a longitudinal passageway running the length thereof, plus means formed in- 6 tegrally with one end of said nozzle means and closing one end of said passageway, said nozzle being transversely apertured adjacent said plug means, elongate resilient valve seat means having a longitudinal passageway formed therethrough and an annular recess formed in a portion thereof, the other end of said nozzle having threads disposed on the periphery thereof to receive said cover, an annular shoulder portion defining the lower end of said threads, apertured mounting cup means adapted to engage a portion of such dispenser or the like, the periphery of said mounting cup means aperture being defined by a transverse ange portion, said latter flange portion engaging said recessed portion of said valve seat means, a at annular portion of said valve seat means engaging the inner surface of said mounting cup means in sealing relationship, flared locking collar means disposed against said nozzle annular shoulder portion and wedging the upper end of said valve seat means into fluid-sealing engagement with said nozzle means, said elongate resilient valve seat means being longitudinally compressed between said plug and said locking collar to form a seal between said plug and said valve seat means, an inner annular shoulder disposed in said valve seat means engaging said nozzle means in fluid-sealing relationship, said shoulder being disposed above said nozzle transverse aperture.

3. The valve assembly as recited in claim 1 in which the portion of said valve seat engaging said plug means is of rounded configuration whereby a line contact is effected with said plug means in the normal fluid-sealing condition.

4. In a valve assembly for a dispenser or the like including a central member having an enlarged plug dening one end thereof and a peripheral enlarged portion spaced from said plug, and an elongate resilient valve seat having a central passageway therethrough surrounding said central member and engaging said plug, said valve seat having a length greater than the distance between said plug and said enlarged portion, the improvement comprising a cup-shaped locking collar means on said central member intermediate said plug and enlarged portion in abutting relationship with said enlarged portion and in engagement with said resilient valve seat whereby said resilient valve seat is normally compressed between said plug and said collar to form a normally closed valve assembly and is compressed inwardly by said cup-shaped collar means to form a seal with said central member.

5. A valve assembly comprising elongate nozzle means having a longitudinal passageway therethrough, a plug formed integrally with said nozzle means and closing one end of said longitudinal passageway, said nozzle means being transversely apertured adjacent said plug means, shoulder means formed on said nozzle means in spaced relationship to said plug, resilient valve seat means having a longitudinal passageway formed therein and an annular seat at one end thereof, said nozzle means being sealingly disposed within said valve seat means and said plug sealingly engaging said annular seat, and locking collar means disposed about said nozzle intermediate said shoulder means and said plug, said valve seat means being axially compressed between said plug and said locking collar means to urge said plug against said annular seat in sealing relationship, said locking collar engaging the periphery of said valve seat means adjacent said shoulder means to form an improved seal between said nozzle means and said resilient valve seat means adjacent said shoulder means. v

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,249,832 Hubschman July 22, 19M 2,704,621 Sotfer Mar. 22, i955 2,772,035 Collins et al Nov. 27, i956 2,829,806 Tedaldi Apr.. 8, i958 

